Senior dogs often present with a combination of conditions that affect function. Rehabilitation for senior dogs is designed to help maintain mobility, strength and balance so that your dog can safely continue enjoying daily activities at home. At Stride, we offer a rehab environment that is low stress, force-free, and provides both physical and mental enrichment for senior dogs.
Common conditions/diagnoses of senior dogs that benefit from rehab include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Prior orthopedic surgery
- Joint pain or instability
- Acute or chronic tendinopathy
- Muscle Strain
- Neck or back pain
- Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)
- Nerve root impingement
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Overweight
- GOLPP (geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis and polyneuropathy)
Recognizing chronic pain in dogs can be very difficult. Generally speaking, vocalization is NOT the best way to identify chronic pain. Instead, monitor for the following symptoms that may indicate your dog has a painful condition:
- Stiffness, difficulty getting up or lying down
- Hind end weakness, dragging the hind feet
- Difficulty going up or down stairs
- Poor posture
- Limping
- Pacing or restlessness
- Decreased interaction with the family
- Decreased energy or interest in activity/play/exercise
- Repetitive licking of a limb
- Difficulty posturing to urinate or defecate
- Change in appetite
- New onest of aggression toward people or other animals
Our treatment approach will address any relevant lifestyle and pain management topics, which may include:
- Pain medications
- Joint or muscle supplements
- Weight control
- Rehabilitation modalities – such as laser, shockwave, manual therapy
- Hydrotherapy and Therapeutic Exercise recommendations and goals
- Acupuncture
- Modifications to home activity and home environment
- Assistive devices, such as harnesses, carts, and orthotics
- Home exercise plan
- Management of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
You do not need a veterinary referral to make an appointment at Stride. Our consultation process will involve a thorough review of history, consideration to your functional concerns and activity goals for your dog, a gait and functional exam, and comprehensive head-to-toe musculoskeletal and neurological exams. We will discuss our exam findings, specific diagnoses, whether additional diagnostic testing is indicated, and a multi-modal plan to treat the issues identified.
The rehabilitation plan of care is developed as a collaborative effort with you to find the solution that best suits both your goals and our recommendations.
Our consultation notes are emailed to your pet’s family veterinarian to keep them up to date on our findings and treatment plan.
What People are Saying…
They are excellent in every way from the phone to the billing to the super loving care and turn around in my aging husky’s state of life. So thankful for this service. – Moon B